Asado's Sarah Belanger named Sommelier of the Year

Caterer Middle East's Sommelier of the Year Award went to Sarah Belanger of Asado at The Palace Hotel, Dubai, whose contribution was said to “contribute to 45% of the restaurant’s profitability.”

Among a limited pool of female sommeliers in the region, Belanger has worked to increase the staff’s understanding and knowledge, and in-turn sales for spirits and wine.

In addition to creating a wine page insert every month called ‘producer of the month,’ Belanger also established the Asado Wine Club Database through which she increase awareness among enthusiasts of wine events and courses they can participate in.

“It's a wonderful honour to win an award like this,” said Belanger. "This award represents the industry so  to be rewarded by people from the industry who recognise everybody's hard work is a wonderful."

Belanger, who beat off competition from Hakkasan Abu Dhabi’s Anandakumar Sivalingam, Cavalli Club’s Krste Georgiev and Seafire at Atlantis The Palm’s Subrata Majumder is also training to be a cigar sommelier.

Her nomination highlighted her integral participation at the Taste of Dubai 2013 event where she engaged customers in discussuion about the wine portfoloio at Asado and giving them the opportuinity to try two of the most well-known Argentinian Grapes paired to perfection with an array of dishes.

“She’s obviously a real asset to Asado as well as the wider hotel where she also lends her skills as a sommelier,” said FooDiva founder and judge for the Caterer Awards 2013 Samantha Wood.

Burj Al Arab’s Dimitar Dimitrov was the highly commended contestant in this category and judges were particularly impressed with his efforts in the bar area, where he helps the head mixologist develop the cocktail menus demonstrating his flexibility and willingness to seek knowledge of the entire business.

The Sommelier of the Year Award was sponsored by MMI.